We don’t usually action articles from Liberty 64 but the item was too cool to pass up! The team will release the Volkswagen T1 Trailer/Race Martini livery. This 1:64 scale is limited to 999 units. Look for this set later this year!
Product# TBD
First, I love this model. I collect 1:50 to 1:43 scale cars/trucks, etc. I purchased this truck a few weeks ago and am impressed with the quality of build, details, and overall looks. I did not purchase the 1:64 car shown with the model.
I purchased this because the VW truck looked out of scale to the 1:64 scale car. All of the VW extended bed pickups, etc., that I’ve seen were the same width and generally height to a T1 or T2. The width of a full size T1 or T2 Transporter, Bus, Pickup are nominally 68.9″ wide. This diecast model’s actual width is 1.46″ not counting the fender flares. If you divide 68.9/1.46=47.19 or approximately 1:48 scale. So, I use it with a ’50s model Formula Vee look-a-like Formula 1 model that looks good with the VW. I need to do a repaint of the F1 to match the Martini Race Colors.
I compared this Martini VW Transporter to a Denver Diecast that is advertised as 1:48 scale. Don’t get me wrong the low cost Denver Diecast models are not known for scale accuracy. Anyway, The Denver Diecast 23 window T1 is 1.42″ wide and close to the 1:48 scale it is advertised to be. I don’t have a premium die cast model that is true to scale in 1:48 or 1:43 to do a proper comparison, but I do have dimensions for VWs in a database I keep.
Lately I’ve been purchasing layout and display fillers for specialty vehicles, like the Tuk Tuk Taxis, cycle cars, delivery trikes, choppers, etc. I’ve found that there are lots of Hot Wheels & Matchbox models that are actually in the 1:43 scale range that work well in my displays. I was looking at purchasing a Renault Twizy and found a few Sparks or Eligor on eBay well over $100. The cheapest I found was a Spark model for $67.60. I just bought a Matchbox 2022 Renault Twiggy for a $1.25 at the local Family Dollar Store. The Matchbox is surprisingly detailed with an opening tailgate to get to the charging port. It calculated to just under 1:48 scale and it looks perfect in my 1:48 scale Ice Cream Shop Diorama.
This model started me on looking at diecast models advertised at 1:64 and other scales to fit in my displays, layouts, dioramas, which is great because of the sheer numbers of Matchbox, Hotwheels, Tomy, etc. models available.